Does Mentis Group Provide VoIP Phone Systems?

Mentis Group helps organizations modernize business communications using cloud-based VoIP technology. Our preferred platforms for new implementations are RingCentral and Microsoft Teams Phone, while managed IT clients using other established cloud-based VoIP services are supported as part of their overall technology environment.

Our role extends beyond selling phone licenses. Mentis helps clients evaluate the right platform, plan and execute migrations, configure the solution, integrate voice with the broader technology environment and provide ongoing support.

For managed IT clients, business communications become another component of a secure, supported and strategically managed technology environment.

What VoIP Platforms Does Mentis Group Recommend?

Mentis's preferred VoIP platforms are RingCentral and Microsoft Teams Phone. These are typically the solutions we recommend when helping an organization select or replace a business phone system.

There isn't one phone platform that's right for every organization. The appropriate solution depends on the organization's existing technology, communication requirements, locations, workflows and business objectives.

RingCentral

RingCentral is a comprehensive cloud communications platform providing business calling and other unified communications capabilities.

It can be a strong option for organizations that want a dedicated business communications platform with extensive phone-system functionality, mobile capabilities, integrations and support for distributed workforces and multiple locations.

Microsoft Teams Phone

Microsoft Teams Phone extends Microsoft Teams into a cloud-based business telephone system.

For organizations already heavily invested in Microsoft 365 and Teams, Teams Phone can consolidate calling, meetings, messaging and collaboration within a familiar user experience.

Mentis can help determine whether Teams Phone fits the organization's communication requirements and how it should integrate with the broader Microsoft 365 environment.

Does Mentis Support Other Cloud-Based VoIP Systems?

Yes.

While RingCentral and Microsoft Teams Phone are our preferred platforms for new VoIP implementations, Mentis supports other cloud-based VoIP services used by our managed IT clients.

Our responsibility as a managed IT partner is to support the client's overall technology environment. That includes helping troubleshoot issues involving the VoIP service, network, internet connectivity, endpoints and related technologies, as well as coordinating with the client's VoIP provider when appropriate.

A client does not need to replace a functioning cloud phone system simply because it isn't one of Mentis's preferred platforms.

How Does Mentis Determine Which VoIP Platform Is Right for a Business?

Choosing a business phone system should begin with the organization's requirements rather than a predetermined product.

Mentis considers factors including:

• Existing Microsoft 365 and Teams usage
• Number of users and locations
• Call routing and auto-attendant requirements
• Call queues and other advanced calling requirements
• Mobile and remote-work needs
• Existing telephone numbers and number portability
• Integration requirements
• Reliability and business-continuity needs
• User experience
• Administration and support requirements
• Licensing and overall cost

The objective is to select a platform that fits the way the organization actually communicates rather than forcing every client onto the same solution.

Can Mentis Migrate an Existing Phone System to VoIP?

Yes.

Mentis can help organizations transition from a traditional telephone system or another voice platform to a modern cloud-based VoIP solution.

Depending on the environment, a migration may include:

• Evaluating the existing phone system and requirements
• Designing the new calling structure
• Configuring users, extensions and devices
• Creating call flows, auto attendants and call queues
• Coordinating telephone-number porting
• Deploying physical phones or software-based calling
• Testing the environment before cutover
• Supporting users during and after the transition

Because VoIP depends on the underlying technology environment, Mentis can also evaluate network, internet and wireless infrastructure that may affect call quality and reliability.

Does Mentis Support VoIP After Implementation?

Yes.

Mentis provides ongoing support for business communications solutions we implement and manage.

For Fully Managed IT clients, this can simplify the support experience because users don't need to determine whether a problem originates with their computer, network, internet connection, Microsoft 365 environment or telephone platform before asking for help.

Mentis can troubleshoot across the technology environment and coordinate with communications providers when necessary.

For organizations with internal IT teams, Co-Managed IT can provide additional expertise and escalation support across the broader technology environment.

Why Should VoIP Be Part of the Broader IT Strategy?

Modern business communications are interconnected with networks, internet connectivity, Microsoft 365, identity, endpoints, mobile devices, cybersecurity and business-continuity planning.

For example, a VoIP call-quality problem may actually originate with internet connectivity, network configuration, wireless performance or an endpoint rather than the phone platform itself.

Treating the phone system as an isolated technology can therefore create unnecessary complexity and finger-pointing between vendors.

Managing communications alongside the broader IT environment provides greater visibility and allows organizations to make better decisions about reliability, security, user experience, licensing and support.

That approach is consistent with the Mentis Process: individual technologies should work together as part of a secure, reliable and strategically managed business environment.

Does Mentis Provide VoIP for Multi-Location Organizations?

Yes.

Cloud-based communications can be particularly valuable for organizations with multiple offices, remote employees or operations across several states.

Many Mentis clients have offices and operations outside Texas. Today, Mentis supports client locations in more than 15 states, allowing organizations to maintain consistent technology and communications across geographically distributed operations while working with a single managed IT partner.

Cloud VoIP can also make it easier to add locations, support mobile employees and maintain a consistent calling experience as an organization grows.

Is VoIP Included With Mentis Managed IT?

Mentis supports cloud-based VoIP as part of the broader technology environment for managed IT clients, but VoIP platform licensing, equipment, implementation and carrier-related costs are separate and depend on the client's requirements.

For organizations selecting a new phone system, Mentis can help evaluate requirements and recommend an appropriate platform, with RingCentral and Microsoft Teams Phone as our preferred solutions.

For organizations already using another established cloud-based VoIP service, Mentis can support that platform within the managed IT relationship rather than requiring a change simply for the sake of standardization.

Why Use an IT Provider for Business Communications?

A business phone system no longer stands alone.

Voice communications depend on many of the same technologies that support the rest of the organization: networks, internet connections, Microsoft 365, identity, endpoints, mobile devices and cybersecurity.

Working with an IT provider that understands the entire environment can reduce the gaps that occur when the phone provider, internet provider, network provider and IT provider each manage only one piece of the problem.

Mentis approaches VoIP as part of the organization's overall technology strategy, helping ensure that business communications are reliable, supportable and appropriate for the way the organization works.

Learn more about VoIP and Business Communications from Mentis Group.

For an overview of our broader managed technology capabilities, see What Does Mentis Group Do?.

Have a question about your own environment? Schedule a consultation with Mentis Group or call (866) 901-7808.